Andrew Atkinson

www.g4cwx.com
Email: andrew_atkinson @ hotmail.com

Early on in 2009 I became aware of WSPR (pronounced “whisper”), which stands for Weak Signal Propagation Reporting. There are acres of sites on the Internet devoted to this mode of operation, not the least of which is the originator’s site, Joe Taylor W1JT. It was a simple matter to download and configure the software, then set up the transceiver and switch it on.

For the first month I did little more than listen to the transmissions of others, the majority of which were found on 30 metres. Eventually, feeling comfortable with the mode, I began transmitting a steady 1 watt signal and sat back to see what the results would be.

Having just erected my new aerial system (documented elsewhere on this site) I was truly astonished at the results. I was regularly pulling in signals - and being heard from Europe, South Africa, South America, North America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Korea. I cannot tell you how pleasing this was - and continues to be.

When I have a little more time available I will document some more on this mode and the homebrew rigs I am developing for portable use.